PRESS BOX.

Doctor: Concussions led to suicide

January 19, 2007|By Tribune news services.

Brain damage caused on the football field ultimately led to the suicide of former defensive back Andre Waters, according to a forensic pathologist.

Bennet Omalu of the University of Pittsburgh told the New York Times that Waters' brain tissue resembled that of an 85-year-old man with characteristics of early stage Alzheimer's. Omalu said he believed the damage was related to multiple concussions Waters sustained during his 12-year career with the Eagles and Cardinals.

Waters was 44 when he committed suicide last November.

- Michael Vick was scolded at Falcons headquarters by owner Arthur Blank, GM Rich McKay and coach Bobby Petrino for an incident at Miami Airport involving a water bottle that police said held a substance that smelled like marijuana.

- Miami hopes to finish its coaching search by Saturday. The front-runner appears to be Chargers offensive coordinator Cam Cameron. . . . Quarterback Matt Hasselbeck had surgery to repair a torn labrum in his left (non-throwing) shoulder. The Seahawks expect him to be fully recovered for training camp.